Kevin Walsh 52, of Chestertown, admitted in a taped interview with the Spy yesterday that he made a kicking motion at Chestertown’s police dog, while participating in Saturday’s Christmas parade as “Frosty the Snowman.” Walsh said he admonished dog’s handler, PFC James H. Walker, at the corner of High and Cross Streets for bringing the dog to a parade. He also admitted to making inappropriate comments to Mayor Margo Bailey’s son, but insisted his comments were not aimed at children.
Chestertown Police Chief William Dwyer said the dog flinched backward to avoid Walsh’s kick. Walker was startled by the encounter and immediately put the K9 in the patrol car. Moments later Walker approached Walsh to explain how such an aggressive gesture towards the dog could be unsafe. Dwyer said Walsh became instantly irate and struck Walker in the face with his “Frosty” hood. Walsh was quickly arrested and removed from the parade in cuffs. Dwyer said police department has received threatening emails from people sympathetic to Walsh.
Walsh was charged with three counts of assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and failure to obey a lawful order. He says he will appear in court on January 10 in his “Frosty” costume and expects considerable media attention.
Dwyer expressed frustration over a very troubled year with Walsh and said balancing Walsh’s civil liberties with protecting the town from his episodes has been a difficult task.
The spectacle went global almost immediately and was picked up by print and broadcast media around the world. The slow holiday news cycle made room for the story on local TV channels and newspapers across the country. The blogs also picked up the story and animal rights groups were calling for Walsh to be prosecuted. Walsh said he has a possible interview in New York this Friday with major television network.
The Spy caught up with Walsh yesterday to get his side of the story. Walsh maintains that Mayor Margo Bailey is out to get him, and that his five arrests this year are entirely routed in his opposition to the plastic bag ban passed in March. He believes Bailey is using the Chestertown Police to harass him. He also said he was threatened with arrest if he came to the town office to register as a candidate for the Second Ward.
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